This set, consisting of an excellent 102-mm ED apochromat and the modern iEXOS-100 PMC-Eight GoTo mount, provides first-class sky observations and astrophotography at the highest level. The telescope, with a polystrehl value of 0.97, delivers impressive colour purity, excellent contrast, and razor-sharp images. Additionally, the optical system stands out with its lightweight and compact design and versatile usability. The iEXOS-100 mount, with its Wi-Fi GoTo system and precise PMC-Eight tracking, ensures accurate tracking and easy control via the app. A high-quality 8x50 illuminated finder with upright image and a 62° LER eyepiece with 26 mm focal length and Argon filling are also included in the package. This is the perfect equipment for demanding hobby astronomers and astrophotographers!

The Telescope

Highly corrected 102mm triplet apochromat (three lenses) with a carbon fibre tube and 2.5'' HEXAFOC precision focuser.

Apochromats in the small and medium aperture range are unparalleled: the combination of portability, extremely high image contrast, and sharpness, along with excellent astrophotography capabilities, make these instruments unbeatable. Advances in glass manufacturing have made high-quality apochromats accessible to more buyers. With the new Explore Scientific FCD-100 CF Hex, this development has reached a new peak – the colour purity of this device sets new standards in this price range. The optical design achieves a polystrehl value of 0.97, a mark of excellent correction.

This outstanding apochromat is versatile: the fast f/7 focal ratio allows short exposure times in astrophotography, while the high image sharpness and excellent contrast enable both wide-field observations, such as of the North America Nebula or the Andromeda Galaxy, and sharp planetary observations. It is extremely light and compact – the dew shield can be slid in to save space. Modern glass and precise manufacturing make this a top-level observation tool, providing pure enjoyment. This telescope is highly recommended not only for travel but also for quick observations and astrophotography. The high-quality 2.5'' HEXAFOC focuser with 1:10 reduction completes the package – with a large free diameter of 65mm, there is no vignetting, even when using larger camera sensors.

The Mount

The iEXOS-100 is a high-quality astronomical mount with practical Wi-Fi GoTo functionality and the revolutionary EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC PMC-Eight™ tracking. It makes sky navigation, finding objects, and precise tracking easy. The control is operated via the free ExploreStars app for Windows, Android, and iOS, comfortably through your laptop or tablet. Additionally, the free ASCOM POTH Client from EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC (wired or wireless) is available for download, enabling you to work with virtually any sky software supporting the ASCOM standard.

Precise tracking and intuitive control
The German equatorial design of the iEXOS-100 allows for precise tracking, enabling observers to keep an object centred in the eyepiece for extended periods. This helps astrophotographers overcome typical long-exposure challenges, such as field rotation and star trails. The unique strength of the PMC-Eight™ system lies in its eight independently operating CPUs, offering excellent responsiveness, efficiency, and extremely accurate tracking to compensate for Earth's rotation. The intuitive user interface of the ExploreStars app makes telescope alignment and night sky navigation easy, providing interesting information about tens of thousands of celestial objects, which are regularly updated.

Versatile equipment for easy, universal use
Other advantages of the mount include easy-to-use axis clamps, a stepless polar height adjustment, and a polar alignment tunnel for quick alignment with Polaris. A built-in bubble level helps level the tripod. Multiple fluorescent elements on the mount and tripod make it easier to navigate in the dark. The attachment of optics is done via a standard GP dovetail, making the iEXOS-100 a universally applicable mount.


TELESCOPE FEATURES
 

• Three-element apochromat with two air spaces and a central FCD-100 element
• Aperture: 102mm
• Focal length: 714mm
• Focal ratio: f/7
• Tube weight: 3.3 kg, significant weight reduction due to the carbon tube
• Focus point: 150 mm from the connector

MOUNT FEATURES
 

• Integrated EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC PMC-Eight™ Wi-Fi GoTo system
• User-friendly and visually appealing ExploreStars OpenGoto app
• Wi-Fi control via tablet, laptop, or desktop PC with a minimum 7'' display and Wi-Fi functionality (not included)
• Compatible operating systems: WIN8.1, WIN10/11, iOS, or Android 4.4 and higher
• Classic control via directional buttons or virtual joystick for guiding, centring, correcting, and moving via touchscreen
• Intuitive 2-star and 3-star alignment for GoTo system initialization
• Polar alignment tunnel for rough polar alignment
• Standard Vixen-style dovetail for attaching telescope/camera
• Multiprocessor microcontroller with 8 CPUs
• Micro-stepper motors and worm gears on both axes
• Quiet belt drive
• Mini-USB interface for INDI/ASCOM wired PC connection
• ST-4-compatible autoguider port
• INDI and ASCOM drivers available, supports pulse-guiding
• Ability to create custom firmware and object lists and load them into the PMC-8
• GPS compatible / settings dependent on the computer or tablet used
• Fluorescent elements on the mount and tripod
• Tripod head weight: 4.0 kg; tripod weight: 2.5 kg
• Carrying capacity: up to 5 kg total weight

SCOPE OF DELIVERY
 

• Optical tube
• 2"-99% star diagonal
• Two extension sleeves for the focuser
• Tube rings with dovetail bar and carrying handle
• Dust caps for the objective and focuser
• Universal finder shoe
• 8x50 illuminated finder (upright image)
• 62° LER eyepiece, 26 mm Argon-filled
• Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 mount with Open GOTO PMC-8
• Stainless steel tripod with built-in bubble level
• 4x 1.0 kg counterweight
• Spiral cable for DEC motor
• 12V battery holder (8 x C batteries not included)
• Fluorescent elements on the mount and tripod
• ExploreStars app via free software download
• User manual